Question

What part of the computer holds data for long periods of time, even when there is no power to the computer?

Short answer

Answer: Hard drive (both HDD and SSD types)

Step-by-step solution

Identify storage components

There are various storage components in a computer, including RAM, hard drives, flash drives, and optical drives. Our task is to find out which component can hold data for long periods of time, even when there is no power.

Understand RAM

RAM (Random Access Memory) is a type of computer memory that is used to store data temporarily while the computer is running. However, RAM is volatile memory, which means that it loses all data when the power is turned off. Therefore, RAM is not the component we are looking for.

Understand hard drives

Hard drives are storage devices that can store large amounts of data, even when there is no power to the computer. Data stored on a hard drive remains there even after the computer is turned off. There are two types of hard drives: HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive). Both of these drives are non-volatile and can store data for long periods of time without power. This is the component we are looking for.

Answer the question

The part of the computer that holds data for long periods of time, even when there is no power to the computer, is the hard drive. This includes both HDD and SSD types of hard drives.